Green Community Fund awards $15,000 in inaugural grant cycle
On Friday, March 7, the Green Community Fund of Akron Community Foundation awarded eight grants totaling $15,000 to nonprofit programs that serve Green residents and strengthen our city. The success of this inaugural grantmaking cycle was due in part to generous donations from the Evans family/Jeff Evans Insurance Agency, the Hollis family, the Shultz family, and the Read family.
Established during the city's 30th anniversary year in 2022, the Green Community Fund is a permanent endowment dedicated to strengthening the city by supporting meaningful civic and community initiatives. As an affiliate fund of Akron Community Foundation, the Green Community Fund is committed to serving as a catalyst for needed projects in the Green community, funding nonprofit organizations that serve local residents, and championing philanthropy throughout the community.
Among this year's grant recipients is FellowshipWorks, which received a $2,500 grant to provide new athletic shoes to preschool through third grade students attending Green Local Schools.
"Our goal is to make sure the elementary teachers always have new shoes to give to children in need," said Todd Roberson, co-founder and president of FellowshipWorks. "We believe this improves a child's physical and mental well-being, social interactions, and focus on learning."
Jaclyn Beckwith, co-chair of the Green Community Fund's Grant Committee, shared her enthusiasm after the inaugural grant cycle, saying, "The Green Community Fund was thrilled to receive applications from 19 nonprofits in our first grant cycle. Each organization champions a unique cause, all of which we believe will strengthen our city and foster meaningful civic engagement."
Other grants awarded this year will provide food for families living at or below the federal poverty level, including a $3,000 grant to Blessings in a Backpack to provide Thanksgiving meals for families in the Green community. Additionally, grants to First Tee – Greater Akron and the Green Soccer Association will make extracurricular sports accessible to local youth.
The following is a complete list of organizations receiving grants this year:
- Blessings in a Backpack, to provide Thanksgiving meals for families living at or below the federal poverty level to enjoy in their own home, $3,000
- FellowshipWorks, to provide new athletic shoes to elementary school students in need at Green Local Schools, $2,500
- First Tee – Greater Akron, to purchase golf equipment and provide programming for children at the Raintree Golf Center, $1,500
- Green Family YMCA, to provide scholarships for the YMCA's half-day preschool summer camp, $1,000
- Green Good Neighbors, to provide additional sources of protein to families who visit the food pantry, $2,500
- Green Soccer Association, to provide financial assistance to youth soccer players, $1,500
- MAPS Air Museum, to improve the site's drainage system in preparation for the construction of a pavilion on the museum's property, $1,500
- Rayl Charitable Organization, to provide financial reimbursement to faculty at Green Local Schools who purchase food, clothing or supplies for students, $1,500
About Green Community Fund
Established during the city's 30th anniversary year in 2022, the Green Community Fund is a permanent endowment dedicated to strengthening the city by supporting meaningful civic and community initiatives. The fund is committed to serving as a catalyst for needed projects in the Green community, funding nonprofit organizations that serve local residents, and championing philanthropy throughout the community. Since its inception, the fund has grown to nearly $350,000 while reinvesting $15,000 into the community. For more information, or to contribute to the Green Community Fund, visit greencommunityfund.org.
About Akron Community Foundation
For 69 years, Akron Community Foundation has been our community's champion and generator of enduring philanthropy. In 1955, a $1 million bequest from the estate of Edwin Shaw established the community foundation. It is a philanthropic endowment of more than $305 million with a growing family of more than 900 funds established by charitable people and organizations from all walks of life. The community foundation and its funds welcome gifts of all kinds, including cash, bequests, stock, real estate, life insurance and retirement assets, just to name a few. To date, the community foundation's funds have awarded nearly $259 million in grants to qualified nonprofit organizations. For more information about Akron Community Foundation or to learn more about creating your own charitable fund, call 330-376-8522 or visit akroncf.org.